We were told by people we’ve met in our travels, that Custer State Park in Custer SD was not to be missed. So since where we were staying, at Holy Smoke Resort in Keystone, was pretty close to it we decided to have a look for ourselves. And were we ever glad that we did!

Welcome to Custer State Park

Custer State Park has beautiful mountain lakes

Custer State Park Custer SD

Gorgeous scenery at Custer State Park

“Where the deer and the antelope roam”

Custer State Park has it all, beautiful scenery, wildlife, incredible needle shaped mountains and really cool tunnels. The first day that we went we did a driving tour through about half of the park. We were thrilled to spot a grazing bison and a few deer roaming the grounds.

One of the Visitors Centers on the wildlife loop at Custer State Park

We spied this bison enjoying his lunch

We love seeing bison from a safe distance

Within the 71,000-acre wildlife preserve in the Black Hills of Custer State Park are 4 private historic lodges with restaurants, guided wildlife activities along with modernized cabins and hotel rooms that are all part of the Custer State Park Resort. If your are visiting South Dakota and the granite peaks and rolling plains are beckoning you, head to this park! There are clear mountain lakes and open ranges all waiting for you to discover them as we did.

Wildlife

We spotted another deer romping through the woods

Plus the park is home to abundant wildlife, camping, hiking, biking, swimming, fishing or just plain relaxing. As I said, this park has it all!

Begging Burros

The “begging burros” of Custer State Park

Meeting of the minds

As we were driving we came to a wide paved area with several cars that were stopped because a rather large pack of wild donkeys affectionately known as “begging burros” who were busy looking for food. In one of the stopped vehicles a young boy had come prepared with a loaf of sliced bread. It was so much fun watching these creatures gently take the pieces of bread from the boy.

As I watched a white burro begging for food I suddenly had a flash back to when our son was a toddler. I know that sounds odd, but you’ll understand when I tell you why.

Got any food?

The begging burro came right up to the open car window as if to say “Got any food?” Before we moved to South Florida we lived in the northeast and spent our summers at the Jersey shore. Brian was about a year and a half, and we went to the beach every, single day. Each day I would pack lunch and snacks for my growing and always hungry little boy. After devouring everything I brought for him to eat, he would walk up to strangers sitting on the beach near us and ask “Got any food?”

Anyone could see that Brian was not deprived in any way. But this child was always ravenous. And he was so darned adorable that no one could resist him. So they fed him!!!

This one makes me laugh out loud!

This guy was so gentle!

So when we saw the begging burros, we promised them we would come back with bread to feed them. On our second visit we made sure to stop to pick up a package of hamburger rolls at the Dollar Store. We quickly drove the wildlife loop to find the wild donkeys. As if on cue, they appeared in the very same spot as on our previous visit. We were amazed by how gently they took the bread from our hands. And just like our son, they were ravenous. It was so hilarious that we couldn’t stop laughing. The smiles stayed on our faces as we drove off to see the rest of the park, which meant a scenic drive along Needles Highway.

If you want a good laugh, click this link to watch a video of Steve feeding one of the wild donkeys: Custer State Park Custer SD 14

Needles Highway

You can see why it’s called Needles Highway

The first narrow tunnel we went through was the Iron Creek Tunnel

One of the most popular activities in Custer State Park in Custer SD, is to drive the Needles Highway. It’s named that because the rock formations of the Black Hills look like needles. Aside from the “needles” the Needles Highway is famous for its narrow tunnels that you can drive through. One of them is called the Needles Eye Tunnel because it is so narrow and truly resembles the eye of a needle. This one lane, one way tunnel is only 8-feet 4-inches wide by 12-feet high.

No big rigs allowed

Approaching Needle’s Eye Tunnel

I inhaled deeply thinking I could make us narrower as we passed through the needle’s eye!

For safety sake there are two things you should know. Before you enter the tunnel you must make sure no other car is coming from the other end of the tunnel. In addition, and this is vital, gauge the size of your vehicle. No big RV will make it through the narrow tunnel!!! Don’t get stuck

The incredible rock formations of the Black Hills of South Dakota

Needles and Monoliths

These monoliths look like they have faces. Perhaps the inspiration for Mount Rushmore?

Needles Highway is arguably the most easily recognized road in South Dakota. It was originally believed that the Needles Highway would be impossible to build. But thankfully for us adventurers, it came to fruition in 1922 after workers blasted tunnels into a few of the surrounding granite “needles.” You should also be aware, if your headed there, that in addition to driving through the narrow tunnels, Needles Highway, or route 87as it’s also known, is deemed dangerous for several sharp turns and therefore is closed in the winter.

More needles!

Spectacular vistas along Needles Highway

It took us about 45 to 60 minutes to drive the entire length of the highway, including stopping to take photos. It’s imperative to travel at a safe speed of about 25 mph or even slower. The highway meanders up and down the gorgeous Black Hills with amazing vistas of the forest and a peek-a-boo view of Mt Rushmore, if you drive it in the right direction. Unfortunately we learned that fact after we returned to Ladybug. There’s always next time!

One last tunnel and we are outta here…